Meet Monica Willis | Food Enthusiast & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Willis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been in sales, selling some sort of product or service and always excelled at it. The pandemic hit, offices closed, the company I worked for reduced our salary. I had to find a way to make up the income.

I naturally gravitated to what I enjoy and love and that’s cooking. BUT, I wanted to do something a little different and came up with the idea personalized brunch boards and boxes because everyone loves BRUNCH!

I had a tasting with family and friends and it just took off from there!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
If you love Brunch, then you will love Brunch-A-Ton. We offer personalized brunch boards or boxes each individually boxed for guests. Our boards are great for bridal showers, galentine’s or any event!

I’m most proud of the outpouring support from family and friends. I attribute my success and where I am professionally to hard work. It definitely was not easy, I’ve overcome so many challenges in life from becoming a mom at 17, putting myself through college, to having a successful career in the corporate world and even losing my job more than once.

What I’ve learned through all of it is keep pushing, keep working and believe in yourself. GOD will never give you more than you can handle, have patience and have faith in his plan for you.

My brand is built on love, love for cooking, love for my family, love for my community. My business and our story started during a time when the world came to a screeching halt and food was my way to reach out and comfort people who were struggling with the pandemic. When our customers try our boards or boxes, I want them to do the happy dance!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Houston because of its diversity but especially because of the food!

Sunday:

Breakfast: The Breakfast Klub
Attraction: The Houston Zoo
Snack: Popsy Munchy
Dinner& Drinks: Bosscat Kitchen & Libations try the “Goodlife”

Monday:

Breakfast: Breakfast Tacos from Laredo Taco Company
Attraction: Texas TreeVentures in the Woodlands
Snack: Knothing Bundt Cakes
Dinner & Drinks: Fielding’s Wood Grill

Tuesday:

Definitely have to attend an Astros or Rockets game depending on the season.
Lunch & Drinks: El Tiempo Mexican Restaurant
Full day of good food and drinks

Wednesday:

Breakfast: Nekter Juice Bar
Attraction: Museum of Fine Arts and Natural Sciences
Lunch& Drinks: Lucielle’s
Afternoon stroll through the Japanese Botanical Gardens
Dinner & Drinks: The Burger Joint

Thursday:

Breakfast: First Watch
Day of Shopping at the Galleria
Lunch: Willie G’s Seafood
Head home to rest and freshen up.
Dinner: BOH Pasta & Pizza
Drinks: Secret Garden Bar

Friday:

Breakfast: Empire Cafe
Biking and Trails at Buffalo Bayou park
Lunch: Franks Pizza
Visit Graffiti Park
Drinks: 8th Wonder Brewey
Dinner & more drinks; Irma’s

Saturday:

Late start to the day with lunch @ Lotus Seafood.
Visit Decant Urban Winery
End the evening with good food, music and more drinks @ Phil &
Derek’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I honestly wouldn’t have ventured into entrepreneurship with out my husband constantly pushing me. He always raves about my cooking, but I think he’s biased. So when we had our first tasting event with friends and family and received amazing feedback, I gave in! Lol.

I also have to give a shoutout to my parents, sisters and kids. They are my biggest supporters, always sharing my posts and referring friends. I couldn’t do it with out any of them.

Instagram: @brunch_a_ton

Facebook: Brunch_a_Ton

Other: Email: brunch_a_ton@pinkelephasco.com

Image Credits
Photos Keith Upchurch